With the sun starting to make the odd guest appearance you may be optimistic enough to start thinking of the summer. Hot, long lazy days, or balmy summer evenings in the beer garden of your local pub, maybe even a summer holiday? Maybe somewhere hot and sunny, with beautiful beaches, entertaining things to do, breathtaking things to see and a rich and diverse culture? Unfortunately, many of us are feeling the pinch at the moment and jetting off half way around the world may be hard to justify. Luckily we live in a country that can offer everything you can want from a holiday, living on an island means there's always plenty of coast and beautiful beaches. Brighton is located in East Sussex on the south east coast of England and is easily accessible from London and the rest of the UK. It offers something for everyone, with the tranquility of the Sussex Downs and Beachy Head just down the road combined with the rich history of the city itself you can find whatever it is you want from a holiday in this diverse holiday hotspot.



Accommodation is as varied as the city itself; from the world famous five star Grand Hotel to bed and breakfasts through to hostels (many of these on the actual sea front). No matter what your budget or expectations you are guaranteed to find holiday accommodation, which not only meets, but also exceeds your expectations.

So what is there to see in Brighton? Well let's start with the piers. The Palace Pier is now Brighton's main and only functioning pier. Opening in 1899, it has survived the wars, weather and time remarkably well and still embodies the atmosphere of innocence and jubilation of Victorian England. It boasts bars and restaurants, stalls, amusements and right on the very end is the fun fair, making it a great day out for a family with young children, a young couple looking for a romantic day out or an older couple looking for a quiet day out by the sea. Just a few minutes walk down the promenade is the remains of the older West Pier, although it closed to the public for the last time in the 1970's and has been almost destroyed in more recent years by fire and weather, it's haunting remains are still an iconic part of Brighton's rich history.

As well as all the normal shops, café's and bars you'd expect in a vibrant city, Brighton also boasts some more quaint and unique establishments. The lanes are a network of smaller alleyways and narrow lanes which could quite easily swallow a day in themselves, from antique shops, to arts and crafts to collectables, they offer something for everyone. Whether you're an avid fan of an old cult TV show, a keen artist or art collector, or are simply looking for a slightly more original gift than the stick of rock whatever you pick up in the Lanes, it is likely to be a one off and carry the memories of a great day.

If you're after something slightly more intrepid, why not hire some roller blades and take a skate down the sea front? Of course, being situated on the coast there are also boat trips, deep-sea fishing or diving for you to try your hand at. If the marine life intrigues you, there's also a sea life centre for you to explore too. If you're still not exhausted after that, Brighton's exuberant nightlife caters for all walks of life.

If you prefer your holidays slightly more sedate, East Sussex offers some of the most beautiful county side in the UK. Just a short way out from Brighton, the Sussex Downs culminate in Beachy Head and the Seven Sisters; providing acres of breathtaking scenery to be explored. Standing on the cliffs really makes you appreciate what an outstanding area of natural beauty this place is. Although you may not wish to get too close to the edge of the towering white cliffs, it is even possible to see over the English Channel to France on a clear day.

These are just a few brief snippets of what Brighton has to offer, it's the perfect city for a summer holiday or a last minute break just to get away from everything.